By Marea67About: Brothers & SistersRate: GDisclaimer: I don’t own Brothers & Sisters – written with love, not for money.Summary: Ingredients: Take a couple of Walkers, add a few Wandells, a pinch of Holden and a Caplan formerly known as Harper, a dash of Altamirano and Whitley, a teaspoon of Byrolt, Paresa and Salazar and (for added flavor only) a Barry&McCallister. Mix and shake…and… watch it explode.Warning: It is my very own season 7, you guys! Go with it! ;) Don’t complain! If YOU can do better, post your own story! (I dare you!)

***** Part 4/5 *****

CHRISTMAS DAY

*****

Danielle Whitley, Seth’s mother, walks around, a look of disapproval of her face. The mood had changed from warm and kind to chilly from the moment she had entered the apartment and Kitty feels tensed, while Seth grows annoyed and Courtney manages to remain perfectly kind.

From Danielle's remark that the drapes wouldn’t have been her choice, to her opinion that Kitty’s table is impractical, or the way that she expresses her gratitude that Kitty at least has a decent and steady income, or Seth’s family would have gone hungry, every word stings and Kitty and Seth become more agitated.

Sensing the rising tension in the couple, Courtney tries to distract Danielle, but not even Courtney can do something about the air of contempt that is built like a wall around Danielle. For a moment all their attention gets focused on Evan, when he and Jack crash into the room, run after each other with loud screams only to disappear into Evan’s room again.

“Is it really necessary that these kids are so loud?” Danielle rolls her eyes.“They’re playing, mom, that’s what kids do.” Seth answers sharply.“There’s no reason to behave like animals in a zoo. You should really do something about teaching Evan how to behave properly.”

Kitty bites her lip, trying not to step in between mother and son. Courtney’s jaw locks, because she feels the words are directed at her son as well, even though she understands that the attack is mainly meant for Seth.“Perhaps I should, but I don’t. I don’t do that, because I don’t want Evan to grow up as suffocated I did.”

Danielle smirks.“Suffocated? I thought you right from wrong. I made sure you had a decent education. I have done nothing but give you the best advice possible. I’ve tried to make sure that you could be anything that you wanted to be, and all you could do was throw it all away.”

“All you ever did was complain to your friends about me, made me study things I wasn’t interested in, so you’d even have more reason to put me down!” Seth angrily replies.“And the tone is set.” Kitty whispers.

“I didn’t come here to be insulted.” Danielle answers.“Then stop being insulting. Kitty is trying the best she can to make this work and you’re behavior only makes things more difficult for her!”“I appreciate your effort, Kitty, you’re very kind and polite…” Danielle nods stiffly at Kitty. “.. but it’s a waste of time…”

The look on her face betrays that she puts most of the blame with Seth. Annoyed with Danielle’s attitude, Kitty can only nod.“I agree, Danielle, I can see that now too. I therefore kindly ask you to leave. This is our house and these are our kids. You’ve insulted the way I decorated the house, the way I raise my kids and the choices I’ve made for the dinner that I would make tonight, all the while you criticize my husband and my guests as well.

I’m sorry, but I was wrong and Seth was right. This isn’t working. I appreciated you as my former boss and I had hoped that maybe, if you’d see Seth and me together, you’d realize that this we weren’t such a bad couple after all. But I can see now that I wouldn’t be able to sway you. I don’t want to spend Christmas day fighting and I therefore kindly request you to leave this house.”

The way she emphasizes 'kindly' makes everyone understand that there isn't much 'kindness' involved and though Kitty seems very calm on the outside, she shakes with anger on the inside. Danielle opens her mouth to say something, changes her mind, grabs her purse and coat and leaves without as much as word of goodbye. Seth looks embarrassed and he’s very disappointed.

For a few seconds no one moves, they just stare at each other, then Courtney finds her voice again.“I think it would be a good idea if the kids would spend a bit of time outside. If Jack and Evan can run around a bit, they will be less energetic during dinner?” She looks at Seth.

“I could take them to the park, bring a ball, they can play around.” Seth suggests in answer to Courtney’s calm words. Kitty nods.“Grace is asleep and Sophie will most likely prefer to continue with the book that she’s reading…. Can I perhaps help you in the kitchen, Kitty?”

Kitty swallows hard.“Yes. Yes, that would be a great idea…” She says breathlessly. “I’m sorry, Courtney, this wasn’t very pleasant.”“Oh, come on. We’re not going to let her ruin Christmas for us or for the kids.” Courtney smiles.

*****

Kevin knocks on the window, to get Ryan’s attention and he rushes over to the door of the restaurant to open up to let Ryan in and immediately lock up again. The sign on the door clearly reads that the restaurant won’t be open until January 9th.“I was looking for the way to get in.” Ryan says.

“There’s a back-alley, but I saw you cross the street, so I thought I’d let you in through this door. Do you have the paper-work that Sarah wanted me to read?”“Right here.” Ryan hands Kevin a file, which Kevin quickly browses through, before putting it aside.

“Nice.” Ryan says waving at the interior of the restaurant, filled with Christmas decorations.“Yes, Scotty and I thought we might as well have our Christmas dinner here, now that Tommy and Julia are here as well.” Kevin says. “Scotty prefers to work in this kitchen, rather than make a mess at our house.” He shrugs.

“No. I made no plans at all.”“Why not? Why didn’t you stay with Sarah or Kitty?”“No one asked me.” Ryan grins. “I don’t think they thought to ask me.” Kevin looks a little guilty.

“I thought that you’d stay with Sarah. You spend a lot of time together…”“And I think that she thought that I’d stay with Kitty, because Kitty and I get along very well.”

“If you wish to stay, you’re more than welcome.” Scotty invites Ryan. “It will give you a chance to maybe get to know Tommy a little better as well. And Julia. And your new little nephew, he’s so cute.” Scotty’s enthusiasm makes that Ryan starts to laugh.“If you’re sure it won’t be inconvenient?”

“No, why should it be? Tommy already shot my plans for Christmas to bits, adding you would be no problem at all…. Saul? What are you doing here?” Scotty’s last words are directed at Saul, who just came in through the back door. Saul seems equally surprised to see Scotty.

“I thought you planned a family-dinner, just Kevin, you and kids? At your place?”“Tommy is back….” Scotty says as if that explains everything. “Why are you sneaking in here, when you don’t believe that we’re here? Why aren’t you in Berlin?”“Jonathan broke his foot.”

Scotty, Kevin and Ryan all react with right amount of sympathy and Saul sighs.“I just came here to get a few things from our storage-room.”“Oh. Yes, of course.” Scotty stammers. “Take what you need.”“It wasn’t exactly how I envisioned Christmas to be.” Saul says with a sad look on his face.

“You know, Saul, … Why don’t you bring Jonathan here? With Tommy and Julia back earlier than expected, we invited them to join us here. Ryan is now joining us as well. It makes no difference to me if I have to cook for two more…” Scotty can see Kevin stand behind Saul and he can also see that Kevin’s face becomes even more sour.

“I don’t want you in the kitchen all day.” Kevin says again, now more grumpily, resenting the idea that his husband is always cooking and running around, while the others are enjoying their meals.“Kevin is right.” Saul says. “I’ll help you.”

“I can help as well.” Ryan offers. “It would be fun to do this with you and I hate to idly sit by and not contribute anything.”“Fine. I’d love any help I can get.” Scotty is happy with the extra pair of hands in his kitchen and he gives Kevin a wink to let him know that everything will work out fine.

“Perhaps we should invite Nora as well, while we’re at it.” Saul suggests and upon seeing the surprised looks on the faces of the others he asks: “You did know that Brody cancelled the plans for Christmas and that Nora is alone? And that she didn’t want to bother anyone?”“I’ll call mom.” Kevin sighs, not even bothering to wait for Scotty to say something.

*****

“I never knew that cooking could be so … therapeutic.” Kitty laughs.“There’s nothing like beating you dough to death to get rid of your frustrations.” Courtney replies. “Feel better?”“Less frustrated, that’s for sure. So, was this the last?”

“Yes, turn on the oven. It has to pre-heat.” Courtney says. Kitty programs the oven, like Scotty had shown her, his notes are in her hand to make sure that she won’t forget anything.“I hope this will work.” Kitty bites her lip nervously. Courtney looks quickly at the oven.“Shouldn’t there be a light or something?”

“Yes. Now that you mention it.” Kitty looks again. “Scotty pointed that out to me.”“At the risk of stating the obvious… Is it plugged in?”“Yes…. I think so.” Kitty pulls the small oven closer and checks. “Yes, plugged in.”“Unplug it. Plug it back in and program it again. Might work.”

“Good idea.” Kitty once again goes through all steps. “There! Should work!.... No. No light.” For a few seconds both women stare at the oven.“It must be broke… It is definitely not heating…” Courtney then says.“It worked fine last week.” Kitty disagrees, not willing to accept the fact that it might be broken.

“Well, that must have been last week. Because it’s not working now.” Courtney states the obvious. Kitty can't believe it! Everything had gone so well. Courtney had been a great help and hadn't argued with any of Kitty's choices, just merely followed Kitty - or rather Scotty's - instruction. It all looked gorgeous and ready and now the oven is broke!

“Scotty!”“What about him?”

“He’s the wizard. He’ll know what to do.” Kitty grabs her phone, ignoring the amused smile on Courtney’s face, and she dials Scotty’s number. “Scotty. I’m freaking out. Everything’s ready, Courtney and I have been working on dinner all afternoon and now the oven is broke! We can’t finish! What do I do now?....”

She nervously explains what happened, bites her lip again, listens to his questions, answers a few times with a ‘yes’ and a ‘no’ before she hums in acceptance.“Alright… Fine… We’ll do that.” She puts her phone on the table. “We’re packing everything up…. We’re going to Café 429. We can eat there.”

Courtney is astounded.“We have no choice anymore. We can use the ovens there to finish dinner. We might as well stay there. Tommy, my brother, and his wife are back. My half-brother Ryan and my uncles are there as well. So is my mom”

“Great.” Courtney replies cheerful, too amused to let the change in plans get to her. “Why don’t I tell Seth to get Evan and Grace ready? I’ll get Jack and Sophie as well. Then I’ll come and help you pack everything up.”“Good plan.” Kitty nods, but Courtney can see that Kitty doesn't know whether to laugh or cry.

*****

“I just spoke to Mateo.” Paige sits down at the dinner-table and puts her phone next to her plate. “Everyone is going to Kevin and Scotty.” She sulks.“What do you mean?” Cooper asks and Sarah looks at her as well.“Since when?” Sarah wants to know.

“Well, I don’t know what happened, but uncle Tommy is at Café 429. With Julia and their new son. And uncle Saul is going as well, with Jonathan.”“I doubt that. He’s in Berlin.”“Not anymore. And now even aunt Kitty is going there….”

“Wait… I’m going to call Kevin.” Sarah disappears into her kitchen.“Hey! Maybe we can go to Café 429 as well?” Cooper hopes.“I sure hope so. I’d love to spend Christmas with Mateo.” Paige sighs.“K.I.S.S.I.N.G…” Cooper teases her and Paige throws a piece of bread at him.